EshailSat Issues RFP for Eshail 2

Doha, March 20 (QNA) - EshailSat, the Qatar Satellite Company, today announced that a Request for Proposals (RFP) has been issued for the design and manufacture of the companys second satellite, Eshail 2. The new satellite will be positioned at the 26 degrees East hotspot position for TV broadcasting and significantly adds to the companys ability to provide high quality, premium DTH television content across the Middle East and North Africa. Eshail 2 will have Ku-band and Ka-band capabilities and will provide TV distribution and government services to strategic stakeholders and commercial customers who value broadcasting and communications independence, interference resilience, quality of service and wide geographical coverage. Moreover, Eshail 2 will provide the first Radio Amateur Satellite Corporation (AMSAT) geostationary communication capability that links Brazil to India in one single hop and in realtime. It will allow also the AMSAT community to validate and demonstrate their DVB standard. Proposals for Eshail 2 are due no later than 30th of April 2014, and EshailSat will manage the tender and contract process which will be awarded through full and open competition. Eshail 2 is expected to be launched at the end of 2016. Ali Al Kuwari, Chief Executive Officer of EshailSat, commented: "With the success of our first satellite Eshail 1 we are delighted to move forward with our satellite procurement program. Eshail 2 demonstrates both our commitment to providing premium satellite capacity for broadcasters in the MENA region and to building a sustainable satellite industry for the State of Qatar". EshailSat was established in 2010 and brings a new dimension to Qatars diversifying economy with the creation of a world-class satellite operator and center of excellence in the region. The companys satellite fleet will enable customers to substantially increase their broadcasting capability in HD and 3D and supports Qatars 2030 vision and commitment to meeting the sophisticated communications infrastructure the country is putting in place to host FIFAs World Cup in 2022. Eshail 1, Qatars first satellite entered commercial service on Qatar National Day, 18th December, 2013. Through its existing and planned satellites, EshailSat will broadcast diversified and high quality premium content with anti-jamming capabilities across the MENA region. Al Jazeera and beIN Sport are already using Eshail 1 capacity for high definition broadcasting of their premium channels. Paris St-Germains winter game vs. Real Madrid marked the start of operations of Eshail 1, with the satellite broadcasting the football game live in HD from Doha across the Middle East and North Africa. Eshail 1 also provided the broadcast coverage of the recent Qatar Exxon Mobil Open Tennis tournament for the MENA region.(QNA)